With our affiliated health plans providing insurance coverage for one in eight of the nation's births, we are committed to improving maternal health outcomes and reducing health inequities.
With our affiliated health plans providing insurance coverage for one in eight of the nation's births, we are committed to improving maternal health outcomes and reducing health inequities.
Community-based doulas play a key role in maternal health, especially for more at-risk women. Doulas are trained professionals who provide person-centered care to pregnant and postpartum women by providing information, education, and physical, social, and emotional support before, during, and after birthing. Doula care has been found to improve maternal health outcomes, including reducing the rate of caesarean births, preterm births, and postpartum depression, while improving breastfeeding rates.
Nearly 22,000 babies are diagnosed every year with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), which occurs when newborn babies experience withdrawal from substances to which they were exposed in the womb. A Carelon Behavioral Health program is helping to reduce the incidence of NAS by matching women in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) with telephone support from a peer recovery specialist who has lived experience of SUD recovery.
The specialists can connect members with physical and behavioral health providers as well as resources addressing social drivers of health. They can also connect members with recovery specialists and health plan case managers and assist in scheduling appointments. Members can use an app with 24/7 access to peer recovery support.
